AI-Driven Automotive Paint Benchmarking & Cost Optimizer

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 87,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Motor Company’s Paint Engineering team in Dearborn seeks a disciplined Paint Benchmarking & Cost Optimization Engineer to drive continuous improvement across paint operations by benchmarking quality, facility performance, and cost structures.

The role requires travel to benchmark sites and collaboration with plant and engineering teams to identify opportunities for quality enhancement and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• 4-Year Engineering Degree, OR a minimum of 3 years of Automotive Paint experience or related experience.
• Strong understanding of Automotive Paint Process & Facilities.
• Demonstrated financial literacy with ability to interpret cost data and build business cases.

Responsibilities

• Analyze facility and process data to identify cost optimization opportunities within Paint operations.
• Apply understanding of Automotive Paint Process & Facilities to evaluate current-state performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Leverage AI tools and data analytics platforms to accelerate benchmarking analysis, uncover trends, and support decision-making.
• Support Capital Efficient Cost initiatives by identifying facility and process improvements that reduce capital and operating expense without compromising quality.
• Apply financial literacy to evaluate cost/benefit tradeoffs, build business cases, and support investment decisions tied to benchmarking findings.
• Prepare clear, data-driven presentations and reports summarizing benchmarking results, cost optimization opportunities, and recommendations for leadership.
• Travel to plants and benchmark sites (approximately 50% of the time) to gather firsthand data, validate findings, and build cross-functional relationships.
• Collaborate with Paint Facility Design, Paint Automation, and Paint Facility Simulation teams to ensure benchmarking insights are incorporated into future facility planning.
• Track and report on cost optimization initiatives over time, ensuring sustained improvement and accountability for results.

Skills

Automotive paint process & facilities

Financial literacy

AI / data analytics

Presentation skills

Willingness to travel

Education

Engineering degree (B.S.)

3+ years automotive paint experience

Job description

Ford Motor Company’s Paint Engineering team in Dearborn seeks a disciplined Paint Benchmarking & Cost Optimization Engineer to drive continuous improvement across paint operations by benchmarking quality, facility performance, and cost structures.

The role requires travel to benchmark sites and collaboration with plant and engineering teams to identify opportunities for quality enhancement and cost efficiency.